Seb Coe hailed the London 2012 Olympics a big success today and said thank you during the nation's final farewell to the Games.

Speaking with great pride during the closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London, he said: "On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us.

"On this last day I can conclude with these words: "When our time came - Britain we did it right. Thank you!"

The London 2012 chairman, himself a two-time Olympic 1500m champion, recognised the athletes for their world-beating performances, but spoke movingly of how Britain had backed the Games.

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Coe: 'When our time came - Britain we did it right. Thank you'

Lord Coe said: "Today sees the closing of a wonderful Games in a wonderful city.

"We lit the flame and lit up the world."

The success can be traced back to the people who built the stadiums and the Olympic Park from where was speaking that was once a disused and deprived district through to the organisers and the sports stars who put on a great show.

He told the packed crowd: "And thank you to the people of this country. The British people got behind London's bid and they got behind London's Games. Our opening ceremony proclaimed that these would be a Games for everyone.

"At our closing ceremony, we can say that these were a Games by everyone.

"London 2012 has played host to some incredible sport. To awe inspiring feats, that are the result of incredible dedication and skill by the world's great sports men and women.

"To all the Olympians who came to London to compete - thank you. Those of us who came to watch witnessed moments of heroism and heartbreak that will live long in the memory.

"You have our admiration and our congratulations."

Thousands of volunteers now have the right to carry the phrase `I made London 2012' with them as a badge of honour, according to Lord Coe.

London 2012 has had the backing of the International Olympic Committee "every step of the way," he noted.

It has all been part of "two glorious weeks" which he believes can carry the Olympic spirit on and inspire a generation.

Spectators on Sunday night said they felt as though they were part of history after witnessing the Olympics closing ceremony.

Fans said they were emotional watching the final hurrah for the London 2012 Games, describing the spectacular event as a fitting tribute to two remarkable weeks of athleticism.

Patricia Rowe, 60, from Bolton, said: "I am speechless.

"It was very sad, the extinguishing of the flame - it put a tear in my eye.

"I just don't think it could be topped. Everything from start to finish was wonderful.
"We feel like we are part of history now."

Her daughter Rebecca Rowe, 31, said: "We didn't know where to look. I think we've set such a good example for the next Games.

"Take That were great, and the fireworks. Gary Barlow was so brave coming out. It made us cry because we're properly soft."

Will Lashley, originally from West Virginia in the United States but now living in West Hampstead, north London, said: "I loved all of the music. It was terrific.

"My two favourite moments were seeing Eric Idle surrounded by a crowd of Bollywood dancers and looking completely flummoxed and then the Brazilians coming on and psyching everyone up for the next Olympics.

"I am very, very proud to say that I live in London after seeing what a great job we have done with the Olympics. I am very, very happy to be here."

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  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The Olympic Flame burns before the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The Olympic Flame burns before the start of the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • The Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Picture by Stephen Hull

  • The Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Picture by Stephen Hull

  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the stadium ahead of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

  • Britain's footballer David Beckham (R) l

    Britain's footballer David Beckham (R) looks on ahead the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view ahead of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view ahead of the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers arrive before the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    A view of the start of the London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The crowd rehearse dance routines before the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • British group Madness perform during the

    British group Madness perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Artists perform at the Olympic stadium d

    Artists perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

  • English ska band Madness perform at the

    English ska band Madness perform at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), and

    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), and Chairman of the London 2012 Organizing Committee Sebastian Coe (R) attend the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Big Ben and the London Eye are depicted during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • Aartists wave Union Jack flags as they p

    Aartists wave Union Jack flags as they perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Artists perform during the closing cerem

    Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • An artist performs during the closing ce

    An artist performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Drummers perform hanging from a replica of the London Eye during the London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • British actor Timothy Spall plays Winsto

    British actor Timothy Spall plays Winston Churchill as he performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • The Pet Shop Boys perform during the clo

    The Pet Shop Boys perform during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • British artist Emeli Sande performs duri

    British artist Emeli Sande performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Suggs and Madness perform during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • Guards march before the Olympic Flame du

    Guards march before the Olympic Flame during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Timothy Spall smokes a cigar while playi

    Timothy Spall smokes a cigar while playing Winston Churchill at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • British artist Emeli Sande performs duri

    British artist Emeli Sande performs during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Lee Thompson of Madness performs during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the performance inside the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • Guards march past performers during the

    Guards march past performers during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: A general view of the performance inside the stadium during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • Lee Thompson is lifted while playing the

    Lee Thompson is lifted while playing the saxophone at the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • British actor Timothy Spall poses as lat

    British actor Timothy Spall poses as late former prime minister Winston Churchill at the top of a replica of the tower housing Big Ben during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in east London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/GettyImages)

  • 2012 Olympic Games - Closing Ceremony

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Dancers dance during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

  • British musician Ray Davis peforms durin

    British musician Ray Davis peforms during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Olympic Stadium in east London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/GettyImages)

  • The Olympic Flame is seen before the sta

    The Olympic Flame is seen before the start of the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in London on August 12, 2012. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games. AFP PHOTO/LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    The Duchess of Cambridge (centre) speaks with Prime Minister David Cameron, his wife Samantha and Lord Coe at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    One Direction perform during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers on a replica of the London Eye during the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    A general view of the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    One Direction perform during the London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Prince Harry (right) with President of the IOC Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers during The London Olympic Games 2012 Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 12, 2012. See PA story Olympics . Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Madness perform during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Princess Anne, her husband Timothy Laurence (centre) and President of the IOC Jacques Rogge at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    British sitcom characters Rodney and Del Boy Trotter, dressed as Batman and Robin, make an appearance during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London. <em>Clarification: Further information has been added about the identities of the characters for everyone who isn't British.</em>"

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge during the Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Performers during the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, London.

  • London Olympic Games - Day 16

    Henry Kissinger (left) and Edson Arantes do Nascimento 'Pele' at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

live blog

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GOODNIGHT ALL

Thanks for following the closing ceremony blog. We hope it helped pass the time.

HuffPostUK

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@ queenchristina_ : Phew! Looks like Rio entertainment might be as bad as ours. #closingceremony

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@ London2012 : The Handover marks the first time a South American country will host the Olympic Games! #ClosingCeremony

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BRUSH
And if you are wondering who the brush guy is, here’s a clue:

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ROAD TO RIO

Right, after a few bizarre moments back there with Russell Brand dressed as a chocolate salesman, an octopus being vomited out the top of a van, the Spice Girls, Monty Python and a cannonball man, the very unbizarre Boris and formalities are to take place.

He’s probably already planning his trip to Rio and with his milky top hair, we’re sure Boris will go down a storm in Brazil.

Just don't let them see this... IT'S BORIS DANCING!!!!!!!!! to the Spice Girls

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@ HuffPostUK : Overhead view of the sadium - http://t.co/OE5fQZR3 #closingceremony http://t.co/67OTvbhG

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@ Dmendeskelly : The closing ceremony is making a mockery of road safety regulations.

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@ AntDeRosa : They got Oasis back together!!! #ClosingCeremony

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SPICE UP YOUR OLYMPICS

And the act that everyone seemed to want have done it. The Spice Girls are back! Just like 1996 where Team GB won 1 gold medal.

Fair play, girls. The crowd loved it..

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SUPER OLD MODELS

A bunch of 1990s models seem to have taken to the stage, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell. I've lost the thread of this ceremony at the moment. I'm sure they'll pull it back. I HOPE they pull it back!

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FREEDOM

George Michael is bossing this crowd now - they've woken up. Great to see him back on fantastic form. Must be a little bit lonely up there.

'Remember you are at the centre of the universe,' he tells the crowd. We certainly are, George.

george michael

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A SYMPHONY OF BRITISH MUSIC

This really is the musical highlight of the night, there’s Freddie Mercury singing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and 101 fragments of a broken sculpture which come together to form the face of John Lennon. He sings Imagine. I can’t imagine what this really has do with anything, but it’s pretty cool.

The show will crash on into the, er, 1990s. It’s London 2012 people, let it go.

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HERE COMES THE SUN… AND THE GOLD

The white boxes which are coming out now and are forming a pyramid apparently represent the 303 sporting events in the Olympics.

And let’s not forget the marathon winner Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich – what a way to receive a medal! The whole (sort of) world is watching, mate. Well done.

pa14292802

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TWITTER STICKS THE BOOT INTO THE CLOSING CEREMONY

It's director Kim Gavin said it was London calling the world - for a party.

But have we had a bit too much joy?

Brits certainly seemed in a tetchy mood if their tweets were anything to go by - with many deciding the opening ceremony was a flop within minutes of the show starting.

Read in full

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IN THE LOOP

The stadium is now packed with athletes. It's an incredible sight, but the music... it's Madness, Blur and the Pet Shop Boys again. That's a poor show. There's so many great tunes which would fit the mood.

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@ London2012 : We've just added new behind-the-scenes vids about what you're seeing in the #ClosingCeremony to our Ceremonies Explorer http://t.co/0r3PY5yJ

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@ JananGanesh : Opening ceremony, especially the "pandemonium" section, was the best thing I've ever seen. Thankfully nobody remembers closing ceremonies.

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@ Beltrew : Anyone else think #closingceremony is just a bit of a mad mess? In a not particularly good way.

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ENTER THE HEROES – THE PARADE OF ATHLETES

We’ve cheered, cried and been convinced that our Olympics heroes are indestructible for the last two weeks, and now’s the chance to show our appreciation.

Athletes from more than 200 nations enter the stadium to the sound of Elbow (the band, not the joint joining together the two bits of your arm).

Have a crack at naming them all http://huff.to/QUatZW We bet you can't

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OUR CHOICE OF THE BEST BITS FROM LONDON 2012

It was the games where we met Team GB's golden couple, where gatecrashing gamesmaker Madhura Nagendra marched with India during the opening ceremony, and where we saw the prime minister do the Mexican wave.

So there were more than a few choices in our slideshow of top Olympic moments.

See all the pictures here: http://huff.to/PP1eFs

kiss

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WATERLOO SUNSET
Ah, the tear jerker. Last night we were in Mo Faradise, tonight we are in London paradise.

The day draws to a close and the Beatles (again) sounds up, but what’s this? A kink? Yes, it’s Ray Davies arriving in a black cab to play a hit even older than ‘Our House.’

To be fair Waterloo Sunset is a genius song.

FAST FACT: Count them.. that’s right there’s 10,000 lights transforming the newsprint city into a luminous funfair, ooooooh.

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@ KevinBrennanMP : It's a bit like the Brits so far #closingceremony

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@ HenryCP : This feels like a Smash Hits awards show. When will H from Steps start handing out the gongs? #closingceremony

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@ fleetstreetfox : Dear Spice Girls: please stay away from Harry Styles. Tabloid newspapers would explode. #closingceremony

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THE BLOODY DOORS OFF

This really is working through the back catalogue of Britsh-ness. Now it’s Michael Caine in The Italian Job. A great film about a gang of criminals stealing gold from the Italians. The Olympic spirit lives on forever.

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STREET PARTY

Right, if you are British, you’ll know why the street party has made it into this ceremony. It’s the Diamond Jubilee and when it’s not raining, that’s what we Brits do, right. We street party.

Enter Madness who are performing ‘Our House’ – they seem to get dragged out for all these events to perform their 1982 hit which peaked at Number 5 in the charts. I wonder why it keep gets played? Thoughts welcome…

The Pet Shop Boys are on too now, rocking up on that classic London vehicle the rickshaw to play their 1985 hit ‘West End Girls’. It got to number 1. Now that’s a proper hit.

Oh god, now it’s One Direction. Tea anyone?

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GOD SAVE THE QUEEN… AND DAMIEN HIRST

We’ve rushed on from Rush Hour and now to scene two where from the top of Big Ben the figure of Winston Churchill appears – he’s played by Timothy Spall from The King’s Speech.

A giant piece of art work by Damien Hirst will be revealed at the end of these section. Try to contain yourselves!

FAST FACT: The Hirst floor cloth is 5,600 metres squared.

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ITS STARTED - RUSH HOUR

london olympics

So, according to the media pack we are given when entering the stadium tonight’s ceremony is made up of 11 scenes. The first of these is entitled Rush Hour and it is supposed to show a journey through a day in the life of the city “from early morning rush hour to glittering sunset” – er, that’s the rat race isn’t it?

321 people take in this first part of the show including Julian Lloyd Webber and music from The Beatles (who are they? - answers on a postcard)

In the 'fast fact' section of our press pack it informs us there are 108 vehicles in this scene, including 8 skateboards and 8 folding bikes.

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BOOM! HOW MANY GB MEDAL WINNERS CAN YOU NAME?

gold

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@ KateRobbins : I'm presuming Boris will do a fifteen minute stand-up to warm audience up at closing ceremony.. BORIS live at the Apollo DVD for Xmas?

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